UT race case in balance

Supreme Court's decision could deal a blow to affirmative action.

By chron.com staff

on October 10, 2012 11:58 AM

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

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Abigail Fisher, the Texan involved in the University of Texas affirmative action case, accompanied by her attorney Bert Rein, right, talks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to a University of Texas program that considers race in some college admissions. The case could produce new limits on affirmative action at universities, or roll it back entirely. The University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers is at right.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh) less

Abigail Fisher, the Texan involved in the University of Texas affirmative action case, accompanied by her attorney Bert Rein, right, talks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

Abigail Fisher, the Texan involved in the University of Texas... Photo-3571324.50454 - Houston Chronicle

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Abigail Fisher, the Texan involved in the University of Texas affirmative action case, accompanied by her attorney Bert Rein, talks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to a University of Texas program that considers race in some college admissions. The case could produce new limits on affirmative action at universities, or roll it back entirely. The University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers is at right. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) less

Abigail Fisher, the Texan involved in the University of Texas affirmative action case, accompanied by her attorney Bert Rein, talks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

Abigail Fisher, the Texan involved in the University of Texas... Photo-3571327.50454 - Houston Chronicle

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Abigail Fisher, the Texan involved in the University of Texas affirmative action case, and Edward Blum, who runs a group working to end affirmative action, walks outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to a University of Texas program that considers race in some college admissions. The case could produce new limits on affirmative action at universities, or roll it back entirely. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) less

Abigail Fisher, the Texan involved in the University of Texas affirmative action case, and Edward Blum, who runs a group working to end affirmative action, walks outside the Supreme Court in Washington, ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

Abigail Fisher, the Texan involved in the University of Texas... Photo-3571329.50454 - Houston Chronicle

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The University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers speaks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to a University of Texas program that considers race in some college admissions. The case could produce new limits on affirmative action at universities, or roll it back entirely. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) less

The University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers speaks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to a University of Texas ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

The University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers speaks to... Photo-3571317.50454 - Houston Chronicle

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The University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers speaks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to a University of Texas program that considers race in some college admissions. The case could produce new limits on affirmative action at universities, or roll it back entirely. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) less

The University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers speaks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to a University of Texas ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

The University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers speaks to... Photo-3571326.50454 - Houston Chronicle

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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Leon Wheeler holds a sign that reads "We Support U.T. Austion" during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Supreme, on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Leon Wheeler holds a sign that reads "We Support U.T. Austion" during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Supreme, on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Travis Ballie holds a sign that reads (Diversity Works) in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher v University of Texas at Austin, and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Travis Ballie holds a sign that reads (Diversity Works) in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments ... more

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin, and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, .

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S.... Photo-3570315.50454 - Houston Chronicle

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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Helen Tran (L) and Jennifer Hicks protest in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin, and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Helen Tran (L) and Jennifer Hicks protest in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. ... more

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Rev Jesse Jackson Sr stands in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin, and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Rev Jesse Jackson Sr stands in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of ... more

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Rev Jesse Jackson Sr stands in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin, and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Rev Jesse Jackson Sr stands in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of ... more

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Arielle Atherley holds a sign that reads 'Diversity Equals Success' in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin, and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Arielle Atherley holds a sign that reads 'Diversity Equals Success' in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to ... more

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin, and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, .

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S.... Photo-3570321.50454 - Houston Chronicle

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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin, and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, .

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S.... Photo-3570322.50454 - Houston Chronicle

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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Protesters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Protesters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at ... more

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Protesters holding signs cast shadows in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Protesters holding signs cast shadows in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University ... more

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: People wait in line to enter the U.S.... Photo-3570455.50454 - Houston Chronicle

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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Protesters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Protesters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at ... more

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Rev. Jesse Jackson (L) talks with Rev. Al Sharpton in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Rev. Jesse Jackson (L) talks with Rev. Al Sharpton in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher ... more

Jheanelle Wilkins of New Castle, Del., right, and Neo Moneri of Beltsville, Md., participate in a rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, supporting the University of Texas.. The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to a University of Texas program that considers race in some college admissions. The case could produce new limits on affirmative action at universities, or roll it back entirely. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) less

Jheanelle Wilkins of New Castle, Del., right, and Neo Moneri of Beltsville, Md., participate in a rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, supporting the University of Texas.. ... more

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Area students hold signs during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Supreme on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. less

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Area students hold signs during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Supreme on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. ... more

Erika Thompson of College Park, Md., participates in a rally supporting the University of Texas rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to a University of Texas program that considers race in some college admissions. The case could produce new limits on affirmative action at universities, or roll it back entirely. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) less

Erika Thompson of College Park, Md., participates in a rally supporting the University of Texas rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The Supreme Court is taking up a ... more